Cosplay Sewing and Construction Support Thread

Started by angeljibrille, March 13, 2007, 04:53:36 PM

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Haruka

This is just a general tip: Do not be discouraged because you can't find one pattern that will work for what you need.  When in doubt, use more than one to get the desired result.  Take the sleeves from one pattern, the skirt or pants from another, etc.  Don't be afraid to mix and match.  Patterns are basically set up the same way, so switching pieces is not as difficult as it sounds, plus you look like a badass to traditional, pattern-bound sewers.

BTW-does anyone have any suggestions for doing Suiseiseki's bodice without boning?  I need a pattern number or something.
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BunofGovt

I'm not familiar with the character and the pics I googled were not that clear.  Simplicity has a number of victorian style and renaissance fairish type patterns.  You might look at those, but the bodice looks sort of halter-type looking.  You might try looking at a halter-type blouse pattern and use a stiff material (maybe upholstery or furniture fabric) to avoid having to insert the boning material.  Sorry to be vague but hope this inspires ya.

And what you said about mixing pattern pieces is so true.  Also, look at the outfit, decide what the BASIC shape/style is.  I fashioned Ishida Uryu's (Bleach) white Quincy outfit (with the shoulder cape) from a fleece zipup jacket pattern, and a Dracula cape pattern.  I moved the zipper for the jacket to the back and lengthened the jacket to tunic length.

Yuki Cross's day class outfit (Vampire Knight) started as a woman's long-sleeved shirt pattern.  I changed the collar to a sailor collar, added two points, and lengthened and widened the bottom part of the shirt and added pleats.  

I've already said too much.  I ramble.
Life is too important to take seriously.  Seriously.

Haruka

I hadn't thought of using a halter top.  That's a good idea.  I'll have to go back to JoAnn's and pour over their pattern books, see what I can find.
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yumicchi88

can any one help me figure out how i should make saya's (BLOOD+)costume? (the purple one that she wears the last half of the series)
I found a close pattern, but im not quite sure how to arrange it to something like hers. (and it is a jacket size, too)
this is my first time arranging a pattern (all other ones i made was all exactly like the pattern) so I need some help or suggestions!

saya's costume
http://clappa.jp/term/images/blood/Saya_body02.jpg

the pattern i found
http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/20000/itm_img/V2935.jpg
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HavicMichaelchris

Is there anyone in the southern half of San Jose that knows an easier way to make the Oathkeeper and Oblivion keyblades? I will forever love you if you could help me make them.
Cosplays: L, Kyo, Pip, Ed, Luxord, And more listed elsewhere.

Kintaka

Hey I'm working on some cosplays and I'm looking for some materials.  Does anyone know where I can get some silver pvc/vinyl, corrugated rubber, yellow reflective tape and 3mm 12"x18" foam sheets for fairly cheap?  Thanks for your help.

BunofGovt

Try searching online?  Try a hardware supply place like Home Depot or Lowes?  Try a smaller local hardware story (similar to an ACE or a local owned store).  I think I got my yellow reflective tape at Wal-Mart (at the bike section) or at REI (if you don't know them, they are a recreational equipment supplier/store).

If you mean rigid foam, check a craft supplier.  If you mean something like floral foam (the green stuff), you might try Michael's or another craft store.  If you mean soft foam like what goes in pillows, then check either a fabric store (I've seen something that sounds like what you may mean in Jo-Ann's, in the pillow form area) or a futon shop (there's one in Albany that has foam in different sizes but that would cost more I think).

Oh, wait, 3mm?  I dunno about that thin ... EDIT: If you mean that stuff like the visors and cut out shapes are made from, I've seen 8 1/2x11 size sheets at Jo-Ann's, other craft stores might have the larger size.
Life is too important to take seriously.  Seriously.

BrightHeart76

Quote from: "Kintaka"Hey I'm working on some cosplays and I'm looking for some materials.  Does anyone know where I can get some silver pvc/vinyl, corrugated rubber, yellow reflective tape and 3mm 12"x18" foam sheets for fairly cheap?  Thanks for your help.

3mm 12x18 sheets
http://www.puffyfoam.com/s_ps3.html?gclid=CPXHuOnUm40CFSEhYQodU2QJ1w

Yellow Reflective Tape  (not very cheap though...you would probably do much better at a regular store)
http://www.uline.com/ProductDetail.asp?model=S-6731&ref=6350

I'm not really sure what kind of currugated rubber you want...but try this site
http://rubbercal.com/Corrugated_Rubber_Sheet.html

As far as fabric goes JoAnn's usually gets Silver Vinyl type fabric a little closer to Halloween.  You can always ask them at the counter, they'll be able to tell you more.
Sometimes I'm glad I became a teacher.  Other times I wish I had simply become a ninja.

Kintaka


Errowyn

Does anyone know where I might be able to find the rose earrings like Sailor Jupiter wears in Sailor Moon?
A truly wise man does not play leap frog with a unicorn...

BrightHeart76

Quote from: "Errowyn"Does anyone know where I might be able to find the rose earrings like Sailor Jupiter wears in Sailor Moon?

I found these

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6470167

kind of cheap...but kind of cheap looking too

http://www.catzia.com/SMPins.htm

2 above the tiara's, kind of cute with the pendant carrying case

http://www.limebarb.com/commissions/costumes/anime/a-anime-jupiter/jupiter.htm

Limebarb is NOT cheap, but they do a really great job.

Hope that helps.   :D
Sometimes I'm glad I became a teacher.  Other times I wish I had simply become a ninja.

Errowyn

Thanks for the links BrightHeart76.   :D  I shall look into it and see what I can do.
A truly wise man does not play leap frog with a unicorn...

FinalShadows

Who should I call next? The Shrimp?

Nina Star 9

I'm going to use this thread.



I need help with a cosplay. It has these odd plastic shoulderpads that I cannot figure out how to make. Basically, I need to know if there are any materials that can be easily shaped (so no vaccumforming or anything) that either are plastic or can be made smooth and painted to look like a shiny plastic. All of the moldable materials I have seen do not look plasticy enough.

This is the costume, sorry that my picture is really terrible. Ignore her hair over the edge of the shoulderpad. As you can see, there are three bumps in the middle of the shoulderpad, which is rounded. I can make a base and everything just fine, since (as you cannot see) the shoulderpad is made of what looks like two layers- the plastic covering (which wraps a litle bit around the base on the sides) and the thicker base, so all I really need is suggestions on how to make the plasticy part. Is there any sort of material that can be molded (etiher by pouring into a mold or by pressing into a mold) that either is that shiny or can be snaded down and painted to look that smooth, or some sort of thermal plastic that I can heat into that shape that is shiny, or would my best bet be to use PVC fabric and stretch it over the finished bases?

I'll be getting better screens soon from a friend, since the one I have is not very good at all. :/



Thank you if anyone can help me. <3

BunofGovt

Can you find something that is a similar shape or that can be trimmed/cut to be the shape, like a plastic measuring scoop or mixing bowl or candy dish from a dollar store or something like that? Sorry I can't be more helpful since the picture is not that clear. 

Would something like an orange juice or milk jug help?

I have seen something like the shrink art plastic sheets, which, if you are good at math you can figure out how much it shrinks from the original size and then cut a big enough piece.  If you were to lay the plastic sheet over a curved surface, it might shrink and match that shape.  I've never actually tried that, though, so you might practice with it.  Hope someone else is able to suggest better ideas!
Life is too important to take seriously.  Seriously.

miss shelby

Quote from: Nina Star 9 on November 14, 2007, 04:20:50 PM
I need help with a cosplay. It has these odd plastic shoulderpads that I cannot figure out how to make. Basically, I need to know if there are any materials that can be easily shaped (so no vaccumforming or anything) that either are plastic or can be made smooth and painted to look like a shiny plastic. All of the moldable materials I have seen do not look plasticy enough.

Honestly, vacuum form would be the way to go to get that specific look, but since you don't have the means to do that, I would suggest "Friendly Plastic."  It takes some getting used to but it works really good for little props and details.  Plus if you mess up, all you have to do is stick it back in hot water and start over.

I can't recommend any stores online (D'oh) since I get mine from a friend of mine.  But I know that they sell it in pellets and in strips and in a bunch of different colors.


Nina Star 9

Thanks, you two.


BunofGovt: something liek that might not be the best, because I doubt I could find something plastic with the same shape. The closest I can find are thigh pads for playing football, but those are always foam from what I have seen, and would still need to be covered in plastic. But thank you, anyway.


miss shelby: How difficult, exactly, is vaccum forming? I have really not looked too deeply into it, since I have always assumed it to be way out of my range of ability, but would it be okay for a total beginner?
I should look into Friendly Plastic. It is shiny enough, that you know of?


I have looked a little at liquid resins that you cast into a mold, would these work? Are they difficult to work with? I have also seen a tutorial on casting with hot glue, which seems a little difficult with this project, but is that an option, perhaps? How easy is it to paint? (I would assume that I would use spray paint and a high-gloss laquer, but I do not know much about this, which is why I am asking.) I know that I can get that smooth enough, it is just of ease of technique and in getting it to the correct colour.



I also have a few new screens that should be better. I hope these help more. I have also included a shot of her hand, which I have a question on. I am planning on making her gloves, since I have not been able to find gold tulle gloves, but she has this odd thing attached to them, that looks like it is made of a bunch of gold plastic balls all glued together. Not a huge deal, except that it needs to be flexible enough to bend along with the finger it is covering (and yes, she does bend her hands in the video, so I know it is possible somehow). Any sugestions on how to make them flexible?


http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8149/vlcsnap5508605iq5.png
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5218/vlcsnap5515062sw9.png
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6012/vlcsnap5526441yn4.png
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1201/vlcsnap5524360tn4.png
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8279/vlcsnap5527282dc8.png


Thank you. :D

miss shelby

Vacuum forming itself isn't very hard.  Getting a place to set up a table and melt plastic is.  I don't have one of my own, I've just played with and watched one that belonged to a costume shop I used to work for.

The friendly plastic is really easy to work with though.  And you don't need to sand it any to paint it.

Casting is great but you have to be very, very careful.  I don't really recommend it for beginners; or at least nothing really big like armor.  If you wanted to try to dip your feet in, you can get some basic molding and resin from craft stores.  It's more fun to make little accessories with that anyway  :)


For the gloves, maybe you could get the rounded studs (like this: http://studsandspikes.com/buy/studs-dome-studs-c-57_24.html?osCsid=e44a8182a7da200569cac1d7d3728c4d ) in various sizes and punch them into the gloves.


PurePlummet

Hey everyone. I was hoping some of you guys could help me.

I went to look for an L cosplay, but none of the sizes were what I wanted. I wanted long sleeves, but I wanted it to be relatively fitted for the torso, because in a cosplay as simple as this (well, any cosplay, really) the details were really important to me. I ended up buying a large shirt for the sleeves, though.

So I was wondering: Is it practical for me to "re-tailor" (I'm not sure about the right terms for this) the shirt, and if so, how would I do it?

Many thanks in advance.
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yumicchi88

Where is a place where i can find syaoran wig (tsubasa) with reasonable price?
This year I will Volunteer!

Excited about Karaoke Contest!!